The Colorado blue spruce adapts well to many soils—growing in acidic, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, well-drained and clay soils . It requires normal moisture with moderate tolerance to flooding and drought.
What soil is best for spruce trees?
These trees grow wild in forests, especially at higher elevations, where they often have to contend with rocky soil and other adverse conditions. The ideal soil is a loose loam or sandy loam . Blue spruce can tolerate clay, but heavy clay soils can sometimes cause drainage issues.
How do you prepare a blue spruce soil?
Dry to consistently damp to moist but well-drained soils are preferred. If you are uncertain about soil drainage in the area you intend to plant your Colorado Blue Spruce, it’s well worth taking the time to test the drainage before planting. To test soil drainage, dig a hole 12′′ wide by 12′′ deep in the planting area.
Where do blue spruce trees grow best?
Colorado blue spruce grows best in a sunny location with moist, well-drained, fertile soil . It tolerates dry wind and can adapt to dry soil. The tree is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 7. Plant Colorado blue spruce in a hole that is as deep as the root ball and two or three times as wide.
Can a blue spruce be grown in a container?
Choose a semi-dwarf blue spruce tree for containers. A container holding a blue spruce tree adds visual interest and texture to the garden and landscape. Plus, planting a blue spruce in a container gives you flexibility on where in the garden the tree will best grow since blue spruce requires full sun to partial shade.
What is best fertilizer for evergreens?
A “complete” fertilizer — one that supplies the macronutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) — is often recommended. A fertilizer analysis of 10-8-15 means the fertilizer has 10 percent nitrogen, 8 percent phosphorous, and 15 percent potassium.
Can you overwater a spruce tree?
Spruce trees do not like being waterlogged. When a spruce tree is transplanted, its roots go into shock, which limits their ability to absorb water. ... However, applying too much water is just as bad as not watering at all. Overwatering can kill the tree , so checking the soil moisture before watering is critical.
What is a good fertilizer for blue spruce?
Sprinkle 10-10-10 slow-release granulated fertilizer over the soil in the root zone, and hen water with about 2 inches of water to prevent fertilizer burn and incorporate the fertilizer into the water.
Are coffee grounds good for blue spruce trees?
For example, adding coffee grounds or organic matter around your evergreens’ soil is a good place to start if you need to increase your soil’s acidity. But it’s not a good place to end. While your tree would get a tiny dose of nitrogen, it’d miss out on its phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) that it needs.
How do you save a dying blue spruce tree?
- Prune away dead branches, twigs, and infected areas of the tree.
- Remove fallen foliage and destroy it (burn it). ...
- Apply a fungicide to the tree after removing signs of the infection.
- Deep water the tree once per week to help it recover from the stress.
How fast will a blue spruce grow?
Growth Rate
This tree grows at a slow to medium rate, with height increases of anywhere from less than 12′′ to 24′′ per year .
When should I plant a blue spruce tree?
Like other evergreens, blue spruce is best planted in the winter when growth is slower but will tolerate planting at any time during the year. Yearling blue spruce trees are available as bare root trees, in containers and burlapped, all of which require slightly varied planting techniques.
How much space does a blue spruce need?
Height: 30 – 50 feet. Spacing: 8 – 10 feet .
Are blue spruce tree roots invasive?
Depending upon the size of your spruce, you’ll find most of the roots in the top 12-18′′ of soil, extending out at least as far as the branch tips. ... Typically the roots are not invasive , but it depends upon how close the tree is planted to them.
How do you plant a potted blue spruce tree?
Plant Colorado blue spruce in a sunny spot that has rich, moist but well-drained soil . Dig a hole the same depth as the container and roughly 1.5 times as wide. Gently remove the plant from its pot, then use a sharp spade, planting knife or hand saw to shave off any outer circling roots.
How do I make my blue spruce more blue?
Apply a chelated iron-rich fertilizer if a blue spruce develops a yellow or yellow-green color. A shortage of iron will cause the needles of a blue spruce to lose their blue coloration. The fertilizer will replace the depleted iron and help the needles regain their blue color.
